access to information in the czech republic

Access to Information in the Czech Republic: Before and After the Velvet Revolution

Rebecca BlakistonUniversity of ArizonaNovember 10, 2007

UNC International Seminars

Seminar Activities

Libraries and Access From ALA Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

Nazis, Communists, and Revolution, Oh My

Communism & the Transition of Library Operations

The Role of Communist Government in Book Publishing and Distribution

Libri Prohibiti Main Board for

Publishing Control (HSTD) & Office for Publishing and Information

Other Methods of Information Control

Speaking about the alternative sphere was

forbidden

All libraries were closed stack & user feedback was

not permitted

Restrictions on Library Collections

Libraries as instruments of the

state?

Libraries as facilitators of oppression?

Libraries representing the government they serve?

The Alternative Sphere

Self-print texts, “samizdat” Exile texts snuck over the border

Libri Prohibiti public library, Prague Books available at Libri Prohibiti

Brief History of Czech Libraries

President Tomas Garrigue Masaryk & the law of 1919

Strahov Monastery – manuscript catalog of library

Nostic Family Library

Libraries Since the Velvet Revolution

Union of Czech Librarians and Information Officers, SKIP

CASLIN, the Czech and Slovak Library Information Network (1993)

National conference “Libraries of the Present Time” (1993)

Book display at Municipal Library, downtown Prague

Challenges to Libraries

Transfer of authority Effect of privatization Financial constraints,

relocation Ineffectiveness of Central

Library Council

Victories for Libraries 1999: Law on Free Access to Information 2001: Library Act, titled the Law on Libraries and

Terms of Operating Public Library and Information Services

Public Information Services of Libraries Programme, 2000-2003

The State Information and Communication Policy, 2004-2006

Library Development Policy, 2004-2010 No longer closed stacks; support user feedback and

maintain user privacy

New National Library Building

Current Library Environment

Networking and scholarship Automation Online services Internet connectivity E-Inclusion initiatives Funding and support

Library of Peace and Reconciliation, Liberec

Conclusion

Historical legacy Role of libraries Libraries and access Challenges of change Moving forward

Lennon Wall (tribute to John Lennon), Prague

Questions & Discussion

Feel free to contact me:Rebecca Blakiston

[email protected]

http://steadfastlibrarian.wordpress.com